France`s Anthrogyr has released a new implant handpiece. The `Montblanc` handpiece features a very high torque maximum rating of 80ncm and includes a handy adjustable drip stop that provides additional safety during implant bed preparation. The handpiece is distributed by Aseptico in the USA.
Ziterion of Germany has released a new one-piece implant design `Zit-Implants` that feature exactly the same implant design but are made from either Titanium or Zirconium. The surgical protocol is identical for both implants and allows the surgeon to decide on the material to be used for the implants at the time of implant placement.
Ingenious Dentistry LLC has released a radiographic marker that features one or three precision stainless steel ball bearings sized at 5mm. These are placed at the time radiographs are taken and used to calibrate the resulting radiographic image. Their site features some good tips and explains how to calculate the actual size of the object of interest in the calibrated xray.
Implantvision has released both a PC-based and web-based version of their patient education solution, Patient-VU. This application is specifically geared towards implantology practice. These products feature narrated videos and animation to demonstrate various common implantology-related concepts to patients.
This Swedish company has designed an implant system based on generic implant concepts, but incorporates an efficient packaging system and a web-based reorder/inventory system. Their `White Book` makes for interesting reading.
Bredent Medical of Germany have designed an implant system which allows the use of either a titanium or a zirconium implant. The surgical instruments are the same in either case. Their zirconium based `White-Sky` implant is made from `brezirkon` and is of the one-piece implant and abutment design. The implants come in 3.5mm, 4mm and 4.5 mm diameters with lengths from 8-12mm.
UK Researchers have developed a robotic system that mimics human biting and chewing. The `Dento-Munch` system will be used to test dental materials for wear and tear. It is seen as a less expensive and less time-consuming alternative to clinical trials. The robot that can reproduce the full movement of the human jaw. Two platforms act as the upper and lower jaws, with the lower jaw capable of moving in 6 degrees of freedom. Just like the human jaw, it
The Swedish Medical Products Agency(SMPA) released a demand for Nobel Biocare to improve the instructions for both its NobelDirect and NobelPerfect implants. Previously Nobel Biocare had released a response to the recent marketing ban on their NobelDirect implant following reports that it lost an excessive amount of bone following placement. The SMPA stood by its decision that the firm not be allowed to market the implants until it had carried out the improvement of the instructions. The SMPA stated that
Zimmer Dental has released a one-piece implant design. It features a straight and angled version with the abutment integrated into the implant. The abutments are asymmetrically contoured and intended for immediate restoration protocols. The implants come in 3mm, 3.7mm and 4.7 mm diameters.
Nobel Biocare released another implant design called `NobelActive` at their world conference in Las Vegas. This design features a new thread pattern. They claim that: `The one-stage implant features a unique shape and a new thread design with a “self-drilling” capability to facilitate drilling protocols in areas of narrower osteotomy. The product is easy to use and provides high initial stability and good outcomes. NobelActive(tm) has been designed for increased soft tissue volume at the head of the implant, resulting
